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Friday, October 26, 2007
Jackson on Genarlow: ‘We’ve endured the crucifixion, and now we see the stone is rolling away’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Just got out of the presser with the Rev. Jesse Jackson and several Democratic state legislators — all on the topic of Genarlow Wilson.
Here’s a sound clip with most of Jackson’s comments.
Some highlights:
— “He’s now free,” Jackson said. “He should be freed today without any additional encumbrances.”
— Justice delayed is often justice denied, Jackson said. “But here justice late is justice welcome.
— “In some sense, Genarlow’s case is a wake-up call, a chance for us to reflect and to review, to go forward by hope and not backward by fear,” Jackson said.
But most interesting was the prayer at the end of the press conference, which Jackson led.
“We thank You for his parents, who would not surrender in the face of tyranny,” Jackson said. “Now its morning time, and we feel a sense of joy that it’s morning time. We’ve endured the crucifixion, and now we see the stone is rolling away.”
“In Genarlow Wilson, You say the ground is no place for a champion. And so we rise.”
The decision by state Attorney General Thurbert Baker, who is black, to lead the legal effort to uphold Wilson’s sentence had created a strain in Georgia’s African-American community.
After Jackson prayed, state Sen. Vincent Fort announced that Baker had decided he would not appeal the state Supreme Court’s decision — prompting applause led by Jackson, who thumped on a brace he wore on his right arm.
“There have been difficult times that have bordered on the cusp of divisiveness,” Fort said. “Maybe we can bind the wounds back up.”
So you’re ready to do some journalism
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Earlier this week, we gave you a first look at the third-quarter campaign finance reports by four candidates for the U.S. Senate.
It was a cursory summary. Much more scrutiny is required. We’ll get around to it, but not immediately. Instead, we’re giving you first crack at it.
While you’re watching the Rockies crush the Boston Red Sox, as you’re obligated to do — given your residence in a National League city — take a gander through the reports filed by Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss, and Democrats Dale Cardwell, Vernon Jones and Rand Knight.
This is serious stuff. Chambliss’ report alone is 461 pages.
Let us know if you see any patterns, or anything at all curious. If you choose to post anything, remember this: Facts matter. Stick to them.
From the state Capitol to a girl in the checkout line
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Eons ago, Charles “Chuck” Walston was a refugee from Journal-Constitution-style journalism who became a speech-writer for Gov. Roy Barnes.
Something about the pre-speech before the one about the Confederate battle emblem comes to mind.
So, soon afterwards, there was this ugly 2002 election, and Barnes was suddenly out of a job. Walston joined him.
Old-timers will remember that Walston had a part-time band in Atlanta, called The Vidalias. But Washington doesn’t like onions. The layer-by-layer stuff is too complicated.
So Walston now fronts for something called the Bourbon Dynasty. Booze is something comforting and familiar to D.C.
Here is Walston’s latest effort, something called “Girl in the Checkout Line.”
We will slap the video with a PG-13 rating — catchy, with an unassailable moral: Lose an election, and see yourself doomed to ogling young girls who have yet to make the first payment on their college tuition loan.
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